Zito is going to cost an arm and a leg, but if the Rangers are going to sign a big starting pitcher this year (and they need to), then he's the one to do it. I'll tell you what, the Rangers can take Zito and the Cubs take Schmidt. That would be a win-win for everyone (well, everyone but the competition in the AL West and the NL Central).
I agree with the concern about Zito's curve. When it's curving, he's unhittable. When it's not, he's, well, he's plenty hittable.
As for the issue of him pitching in a hitter's park, it's interesting you bring that up, since that very thing was addressed by Mike Hindman as part of his "Hot Stove Notes" for the Newberg Report this morning:
quote:
When the issue of Zito possibly coming to Arlington first arose, this was what I looked at: over the past three years, Zito is 5-1 with a 5.28 ERA in seven starts at Ameriquest Field, the worst of any park where he’s had at least five starts during that span.
But I looked a little harder at it this morning and here is what I found: His three year cumulative ERA was damaged by a couple of bad starts back in 2004, Zito’s off year. He posted a 7.47 ERA in three starts in Arlington that summer. Last year, he went 2-0 with a 3.74 ERA, holding Texas to a .160 batting average in 22.2 innings. In 2003, he went 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three starts spanning 20 innings.
Moreover, in five starts in Anaheim over the past three years, Zito has a 0.76 ERA and he’s held the Angels to a .162 average there. He’s held the Mariners to a .239 average while posting a 2.89 ERA at Safeco Field over the past three years.
Yes, as many of you pointed out to me yesterday, he’s a fly ball pitcher (0.89 G/F last year), but he’s not especially homer-prone. Zito gave up 27 big flies last year. Same as Andy Pettitte and fewer than Freddy Garcia, Mark Buehrle, Ted Lilly, Nate Robertson and Chris Young. He gave up just 26 homers in 2005, 28 in his "off year" of 2004 and a mere 19 back in 2003.
Moreover, Zito surrendered just 42 doubles last year, which is a solid figure. Roy Oswalt gave up 55, Pettitte gave up 53, Jon Garland 51, Jeff Suppan 49, Freddy Garcia 46.... In 2005, Zito gave up just 33 doubles and in 2004 (his off year), he gave up 46 (Kenny Rogers gave up 59 that year). In 2003, Zito gave up just 28 doubles.
As an aside, the Newberg Report is such a great asset to have as a fan. All teams should be so lucky as to have uber-fans like Jamey Newberg and Mike Hindman that publish their thoughts and analysis via email and website on a daily basis and then annually with a 300 page bound edition.
[This message has been edited by WestTxAg06 (edited 12/2/2006 9:45p).]
